In the summer of 2016, a young man's life was tragically cut short in what remains an unsolved crime. Cody Bryan Laporte, a 23-year-old Caucasian male from Muskegon, Michigan, was fatally shot in his Norton Shores home on the evening of August 15, 2016. Known for his willingness to help friends and family, his love for basketball, and his enjoyment of being in the water, his unexpected death sent shockwaves through the community.
On that fateful Monday night, at approximately 10 p.m., two individuals were allowed into Cody's residence located near Sherman Street and U.S. 31. According to witness accounts, Cody and the two men went into a back room of the house. A struggle broke out, and the sound of three gunshots pierced the night. The two suspects were then seen fleeing the scene, heading east on Sherman toward U.S. 31.
Authorities were called to the scene, and an investigation into the homicide was launched, involving the Norton Shores Police Department, the Muskegon Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and the Muskegon County Sheriff's Department. The suspects were described as two Black men. One was estimated to be around 6'2' with a skinny build, wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans. The other was described as being about 5'7' with a medium build and was last seen in a blue shirt.
Despite the efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, no arrests have been made in the case, and it remains unsolved. Investigators have urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in bringing closure to Cody's family and friends. His death was one of ten homicides in Muskegon County that year, a stark reminder of the violence that had plagued the community. Cody is survived by his parents, sister, nephew, grandfather, an aunt and uncle, and his long-term girlfriend.
